Double Bass best beginner double bass!

[drurb]

How about a permanent banner for talkbass?

Indeed-- one that says, "Fill out your profile."

 

[Dbassmon]

If you are starting your double bass career, it's great advice to get some help.

Start by finding a teacher. You will get that advice from anyone that has traveled this path. It's good advice. This is a physically demanding instrument and one where improper technique can lead to serious injury... not kidding. Also, a teacher can help you select an instrument.

It's hard to know which is a good sounding bass if your technique, or lack there-of, prevents you from making a beautiful tone on any instrument.

You can also get this help from reputable bass shops but be careful, I'm not talking about Guitar Center. Pick up the phone and call Ken Smith or Dave Gage or many other qualified dealers. Take a road trip. Play some basses.

I agree with Drurb, if you are serious about this, get the best bass you can afford.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Njbass93,
If you're still out there, please give us something to go on by filling out your profile. Otherwise we'll just have to assume that you are a 15 year old living in New Jersey.

 

[Zoundz]

There are three (not two) general types of basses: 1) plywood (laminate), 2) hybrid, and 3) "fully-carved" (I'll throw in carved-top flatbacks here). Not everyone starts with a plywood bass and not everyone should. I believe that one should get the best instrument possible (within reason). This is especially true for beginners because a poor instrument will fight you all the way. The basses referenced are Shens, not "Chens." That is, unless there is now a Shen knock-off available. I'm not aware that any of the Shens are actually based on the overall design of the old Kay Swingmasters. While Shens have a solid reputation, there are many other and, in my opinion better, options even in plywood basses. At least two of those brands have already been mentioned in this thread.

By the way, Zoundz, it would be helpful if you'd fill out your profile. That would help us to understand when you say that the plywood Shens have "the most surprisingly deep and punchy bass tone i've ever heard from a plywood bass," how many others you might have played and over what span of time. You might even tell us to what other plywood basses you are comparing the Shens.

Yes, I must admit you're correct about the 3 categories. And in my defense, the reason I spelled it "Chen", is because the makers sometimes spell in that way at the base of the shoulder on the back of the bass.

Let me guess- you're classical?

I'll forgive you your unbassplayer-like arrogance if you'll forgive me a few inconsequential oversights

Christ

 

[reedo35]

I'll forgive you your unbassplayer-like arrogance if you'll forgive me a few inconsequential oversights

Christ

Like filling out your profile?

 

[uprightbass.com]

Let me guess- you're classical?

I'll forgive you your unbassplayer-like arrogance if you'll forgive me a few inconsequential oversights

Christ

Man, it took you two years to come up with THAT comeback?

 

[CrazyZeke]

I just joined the TB forums about a month ago and...believe it or not...filled out my profile so that others could get an idea of my background for URB, musical styles, training, equipment and preferences, shoe size, preferred beer, etc. I'm sure others are like me and use this info when viewing a post to get the "bigger" picture. It saves me a LOT of questions to get the other person's POV.

Maybe some fields in the profile could be manadatory? I kind or hesitate to suggest this being a liberal "right-to-player" musician. Comments? Smerks?

 

[MIKMAN]

[QUOTE
Let me guess- you're classical?

I'll forgive you your unbassplayer-like arrogance if you'll forgive me a few inconsequential oversights QUOTE]

Dear Zoundz, your less then polite retort is something we faced many times here, in our forum. All these years we watched many
"hypersensitive hyperegos" to react in your way, unprovoced. Please take a lighter approach, it's no use to feel irritated. The forum is by far the best resource of information in the DB world. It is certainly a privilege to share your opinion with people who have spent a lifetime in admirable carreers, so try to gain as much as you can from their knowledge.
With due respect
Mike

 

[Zoundz]

[QUOTE
Let me guess- you're classical?

I'll forgive you your unbassplayer-like arrogance if you'll forgive me a few inconsequential oversights QUOTE]

Dear Zoundz, your less then polite retort is something we faced many times here, in our forum. All these years we watched many
"hypersensitive hyperegos" to react in your way, unprovoced. Please take a lighter approach, it's no use to feel irritated. The forum is by far the best resource of information in the DB world. It is certainly a privilege to share your opinion with people who have spent a lifetime in admirable carreers, so try to gain as much as you can from their knowledge.
With due respect
Mike

Fair enough. perhaps I've become accustomed to feeling defensive of other players, as a result of dealing with foolish ego problems within my section, and the the arrogance has become mine. Unprovoced rudeness is just as counterproductive as going into a rehearsal, not having prepared your music.

I'm aware that the resources of feedback for us as an instrumental group are about as limited as they can be. I'de rather be part of the solution than the problem.

So, I'de like to offer my apologies to drurb, and all my other fellow bass players who use this forum for something other than petty discrepancies. It won't happen again.

P.S.- I'll fill out my profile, as soon as I have a minute. I promise.

-Zoundz-

 

[drurb]

Yes, I must admit you're correct about the 3 categories. And in my defense, the reason I spelled it "Chen", is because the makers sometimes spell in that way at the base of the shoulder on the back of the bass.

Let me guess- you're classical?

I'll forgive you your unbassplayer-like arrogance if you'll forgive me a few inconsequential oversights

Christ

I can't imagine why you would respond after two years, much less in the somewhat offensive fashion that you have. "Unbassplayer-like arrogance?" I think you have some issues with (mis)interpretation of the language. I re-read my post and I really don't see where there was even a hint of arrogance. I think in this case, the problem is with the receiver and not the transmitter as I was not, in the least, critical of you.

By the way, I suppose by guessing that I'm "classical," you mean that I'm a player of classical music. I was trained and played as a classical player and later engaged in formal jazz training. These days, I'm a jazz player. I really don't see how the style of music I play is relevant to my posting of correct information about the nature of basses or my asking you to tell us on what experiences your opinions are based.

Just saw this after I responded:

So, I'de like to offer my apologies to drurb, and all my other fellow bass players who use this forum for something other than petty discrepancies. It won't happen again.

P.S.- I'll fill out my profile, as soon as I have a minute. I promise.

-Zoundz-

Thanks for that. Really. I figured I would leave my response above as it explains my point of view. I look forward to positive interactions.